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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How will society become better, according to Emerson?

2. Who said, "Do not flatter your benefactors"?

3. Who or what is a part of nature, according to "Nature"?

4. How does Emerson say we become aware of the changes in our lives brought on by experience?

5. What happens when you greatly admire or revere someone?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to "Manners", what people are permitted latitude in their manners?

2. According to "Heroism", where does Emerson say people should find examples of true heroism? What is heroism the product of?

3. According to "Experience", why do most people not recognize the changes in their lives until they are looking in retrospect?

4. What is the benefit of friendship, according to "Friendship"? What is the irony in Emerson's essay?

5. According to "Self-Reliance", what is the relationship between conformity and being a man?

6. What two problems with communion does Emerson explain at the end of "The Lord's Supper"?

7. What does Emerson say about private enterprise in "New England Reformers"? Based on "New England Reformers", what political party is parallel to Emerson's views?

8. What is transcendentalism, according to "Nature"?

9. According to "Art", from where does all art evolve? What is its purpose?

10. How does Emerson define character? What analogy does he use in his definition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Emerson's view of Plato? Use evidence from his essay "Plato; or, the Philosopher" to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of nature in Emerson's writings.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the role of solitude and society in the lives of thinkers.

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This section contains 730 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample